(ANS - San Pedro Carchá) – Christmas just passed was a very special one for the inhabitants of the village Sesarb-Chirequiche in Guatemala. On 22 December Bishop Rodolfo Valenzuela Núñez of Verapaz and Cobán, blessed the new Church dedicated to St Joseph.

Thanks to the support of the New Rochelle (NY) Missions Office it has been possible to build the new church in one of the poorest villages in the mission area entrusted to the Salesian parish of San Pedro Carchá. The work begun in May was completed in November.

All the people of Sesarb-Chirequiche contributed to the project of a new church which had long been a dream of theirs. The people of the village, of Q’eqchi origin, carried the necessary building material over long distances on their own shoulders. The building which cost about 15.000 dollars, was made possible through the generous donation of a benefactor in the United States.

On 22 December the church was packed with the Sesarb-Chirequiche people and from other villages who had come specially for the occasion. After a solemn procession, Bishop Núñez presided at Mass and dedicted the church to Saint Joseph. In his homily the Bishop spoke about the importance of fidelity to the Christian faith and love for the church. He also expressed his gratitude to the Salesian Fr Vittorio Castagna who with great dedication had carefully overseen the building work.

The Salesians in the parish of San Pedro Carchá, who have been in the area for 76 years, have promoted the building of churches in many of the remote and inaccessible villages.

Published 04/01/2012